Following the success of the 250 GT ‘Tour de France’ Berlinetta, so-named in celebration of Spanish Marquis Alfonso de Portago’s electrifying victory at the 1956 Tour de France Auto, Ferrari launched a small batch of Pinin Farina-designed “Interim” Berlinettas with new aluminum bodywork and lightweight components for 1959. While one of these new cars finished fourth overall and second in class behind an earlier 250 GT at Le Mans, the updated design was a clear evolutionary step forward in Ferrari’s dual-purpose, road-and-track-capable Grand Touring cars. The definitive expression of the concept debuted at the October 1959 Paris Salon, with the ‘Interim’ V-12 engine specification and race-bred refinements including more compact dimensions with a shortened 2,400-mm wheelbase for improved handling response and four-wheel disc brakes – a production first at Ferrari. Quickly, the new Ferrari 250 GT assumed legendary status as the ‘SWB’ or Short Wheelbase Berlinetta.

The purposeful and aggressive styling of the 250 GT SWB also remains a Pinin Farina design benchmark. Produced in steel, steel with alloy opening panels, and entirely in aluminum, the 250 GT SWB was constructed by both Pinin Farina and Scaglietti. Body material, engine specification, and interior materials differed widely from car to car, depending upon the specific requirements of Ferrari buyers, all the way up to the full-competition “SEFAC Hot Rod’ available in 1961. With form following function, the SWB body is free of unnecessary embellishments and with its ample glass area, provided good visibility. While not highly aerodynamic even by the standards of its era, the SWB’s trim proportions, with all four corners tightly wrapped around each wheel and its gently rounded contours, allowed maximum performance from its healthy Colombo-derived V-12 engine and four-speed gearbox.

Many of the top gentlemen and professional racers piloted the 250 GT SWB in competition, including Jean “Beurlys” Blaton, Olivier Gendebien, Stirling Moss, Jo Schlesser, and others. As expected, it proved highly effective. In fact, the victory tally of the 250 GT SWB Berlinetta is long enough to be prohibitive to list in full detail. However, its high-profile wins included two consecutive GT-category wins at Le Mans in 1960 and 1961, three Tour de France wins in a row during 1960, 1961 and 1962 respectively, and Stirling Moss’ unforgettable Goodwood Tourist Trophy wins in 1960 and 1961. According to Ferrari experts, 167 examples of the 250 GT SWB were built from 1959-1962. Blending competition prowess and an irreplaceable air of romance and adventure, the 250 GT SWB is one of the finest dual-purpose GT cars from Ferrari, being easily capable of being driven to the track, lightly tuned and prepared, competing with vigor, and then driven back home. Simply put, it is a true milestone and an essential component of any collection housing the best postwar sports/GT cars.

However, while almost universally coveted by Ferrari collectors today, prime examples of the 250 GT SWB rarely come to market and they easily command multi-million-dollar bids at auction when they do. A select few top-notch recreations were expertly produced, with bodies custom-built by the late Chris Lawrence at Wymondham Engineering in Norfolk, England. Mr. Lawrence, whose shop was world-renowned for truly outstanding quality, workmanship, and fine detailing, sadly passed away during 2006. To Ferrari experts, his exacting recreations of LWB and SWB California Spyders, 250 SWB Berlinettas, 250 GTOs, and Maserati sports racers are second to none. Donor cars were generally examples of the 250 GTE 2+2 and 330 GT 2+2. This beautiful 250 GT SWB recreation was originally a ‘Series II’ 1961 Ferrari 250 GTE 2+2 numbered 3251. It was purchased by Ferrari collector and enthusiast Fred Burbank of Laguna Niguel, California, who commissioned Chris Lawrence to convert it into this stunning alloy-bodied 250 GT SWB. To refer to it as a work of art is a severe understatement, with its incredible details, accuracy, handsome colors, and Borrani wire wheels. Subsequently, 3251 was sold to Dubai in the United Arab Emirates, where it was placed on display at Ferrari World. Now back in the United States, it is beautifully presented and virtually indistinguishable from an original example. As such, it stands ready as a fantastic recreation of one of the finest dual-purpose Grand Touring/competition cars ever designed and produced.